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#SiliconValleyStrongHeroes: Exploring the Outdoors Inside the Classroom
Santa Clara County Parks and PRNS Connect Adult Residents to the Natural World with Nature-Based FUN
“Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson famed American poet.
In the midst of our busy schedules, it can be difficult to find some free time. While it may not seem important, taking a bit of time for yourself to enjoy your hobbies or learn something new is very good for your overall health and wellbeing.
For example, recreation and leisure activities are great for both the mind and body. Engaging in these activities can relieve stress, improve physical activity, and build community.
The City of San José’s Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) department offers a wide variety of recreation programs to enjoy for all ages and abilities. We also work with partners across the county to provide even more fun-filled classes for residents to try out.
From sports to art to learning new skills, we offer programs for whatever interests you. Nature Studies included. If you want to learn more about the natural world, you won’t have to travel far.
The “Neighborhood Naturalists” program, hosted by Santa Clara County Parks (SCC Parks), introduces adults to Santa Clara County’s natural history. Hosted at PRNS’ Seven Trees Community Center, this free, three-week course invites participants to take a closer peek at the natural world in their backyard.
This course introduces studies on local geology, native plants, and wildlife. Participants engage in discussions, activities, and interactive exhibits on each topic. SCC Parks Staff, along with expert guest speakers, provide resources and tools for the audience to incorporate nature discovery in their daily lives.
As participants trickle into class, Interactive Exhibits are set up each week to help them get comfortable closely observing the things around them.
The class continues with an engaging discussion from an expert guest speaker, sharing their knowledge and experience working with nature. Every guest speaker also shares resources for participants to continue learning more about the day’s subject.
Neighborhood Naturalists promote an ongoing appreciation and connection to nature both in and out of class with journaling. Nature Journaling combines simple sketches and brief notes to observe the natural world.
From plants to birds to insects, participants have free reign to record whatever interests them. Colors, shapes, textures, sounds, and unique details are all noteworthy observations. Within a few weeks, you have pages full of sketches and notes about local flora and fauna.
Can you guess what these replica animal skulls are? Participants worked together to observe and identify these grizzly bear and racoon skull models.
The wildlife class session explored regional wildlife management projects that help endangered species and habitats. Many of these projects began because residents spoke up for their local wildlife!
From small sketches to larger backyard projects (like building a wildflower or bee garden) every project is a unique expression of what participants learned in class. This also shows them how they can continue to engage and preserve nature in small but impactful ways.
Participants receive a certificate for attending class sessions. They also get a commemorative SCC Parks pin for completing the community service project.
Nature-based programs like Neighborhood Naturalists give residents more opportunities to connect with their community and environment. Our partnership with Santa Clara County Parks lets us work together to find new ways of encouraging outdoor exploration.
Working with partners also helps us achieve our ActivateSJ goal to increase access and participation in nature-based activities. As more residents engage in these programs, we can continue to protect, preserve, and promote natural areas in San José and beyond.
If you would like to learn more about the Neighborhood Naturalists program, and other programs from Santa Clara County Parks, please visit parks.sccgov.org/plan-your-visit/programs-events.
If you would like to learn more about PRNS, please visit sanjoseca.gov/prns. The ActivateSJ Strategic Plan is the City of San José's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) plan to maintain, improve and expand our facilities, programs, and services. The plan guides how we care for and develop a diverse park system and an abundance of recreation programs and services for all in San José.
ActivateSJ’s mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. To learn more about our department’s plan and vision to move forward, visit activatesj.org.